Gunmen killed four surveillance officers in two communities in Anambra state, southeastern Nigeria.
The hoodlums invaded the communities between 8am and 9am on Monday, residents told PREMIUM TIMES.
Some residents suspect that the attackers, given the day and manner of the operation, were enforcers of the illegal Monday stay-at-home order.
The illegal order is often enforced by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
How the attacks happened
The first attack occurred in Abatete, a community in the Idemili North local government area of the state.
Residents said the gunmen invaded the community and opened fire on three surveillance officers, who engaged the attackers in a shootout.
“But they were overpowered and killed by the gunmen,” said one resident, who asked not to be identified.
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Multiple sources confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the vigilant agents were attached to the president general of the community, Ezebinobi Ezigbo.
“Even PG (Ezigbo) suffered serious injuries,” a source said.
In another attack minutes later, some gunmen also attacked Ukpo, another community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
Residents said the thugs stormed the community and opened fire on the surveillance officers, killing one of them on the spot.
“They killed a security guard and burned his vehicle at the Ukpo roundabout. They also killed a motorcyclist,” said another resident.
Abatete and Ukpo are neighboring communities, but are located in different local government areas.
PREMIUM TIMES reliably deduced that the various attacks occurred within one hour.
However, it is currently unclear whether the separate attacks were carried out by the same gunmen.
the police speak
Anambra State Police Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the various attacks and killings in a statement on Monday.
“Today 18/11/2024, the gunmen, without provocation, at 8:45 am operating in an unregistered Lexus 330 SUV and an unregistered Honda FJ Cruiser SUV in Ekeagu Abatete, murdered three members of the vigilantes and injured another unsuspecting member of the public,” said Mr Ikenga, superintendent of police.
“Also at Ukpo junction, Dunkunofia LGA, while escaping an intense chase by the police response team, he shot and killed another member of the vigilante, injured another and set two vehicles on fire,” he added.
The police spokesperson said the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono, has promised that the state police will track down the hoodlums.
Obono, he said, has commiserated with the family and community of the deceased over the loss of the victims.
“Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and the injured are currently receiving treatment in hospital,” he said.
Greater attack
Like other states in south-eastern Nigeria, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons.
Attacks typically target security agencies, officials, and government facilities.
The latest killings occurred a day after gunmen killed police officers in Abia State on Sunday.
Four days ago, gunmen killed two Nigerian soldiers at a checkpoint on the Umuahia-Owerri road in Ekeneobizi, another community in the same Umuahia South Local Government in Abia State.
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The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants to separate from southeastern and some parts of south-south Nigeria.